Prof receives nursing honor

Linda Scott

A Grand Valley professor will receive one of her discipline's highest honors when she is inducted into the American Academy of Nursing in November.

Kirkhof College of Nursing Professor Linda Scott was selected as an AAN fellow largely for her research on staff nurse work hours and the impact of work schedules on patient safety. Scott has teamed with Ann Rogers, professor of nursing at the University of Pennsylvania, to study correlations between nurse fatigue and patient errors.

Their first paper was published in 2004. Scott and Rogers, who is also an AAN fellow, began working together in 2002; they have since conducted two major studies that have been widely publicized, cited more than 100 times and have provided the base for Institute of Medicine and the Joint Commission on the Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations recommendations related to work hours, fatigue and patient safety.

Scott, who also serves as director of KCON's undergraduate degree programs, said being named an AAN fellow is an honor. She is thrilled to work with other fellows on addressing health care issues and policies. "I've always wanted to make a difference in some way; as a nurse, and now with our students as a faculty member," she said. "This is making a difference from a scientific base and hopefully affecting policies."

Cynthia McCurren, dean of KCON, said Scott demonstrates the high caliber of nursing faculty at Grand Valley. "Linda has demonstrated a commitment to the discipline of nursing as evidenced by her engagement in academic, clinical, and administrative practice, as well as the establishment of a sustainable program of research," McCurren said.

Research by Rogers and Scott continues. Scott said she received a grant from the Blue Cross/Blue Shield of Michigan Foundation to study fatigue countermeasures (strategic naps, completely relieved breaks combined with increased sleep hours) and their impact on nurses.

The AAN ceremony is November 8 in Scottsdale, Arizona, where 92 professionals will be inducted into the academy.

Scott received a bachelor's degree in nursing from Michigan State University, a master's degree in nursing administration from Grand Valley, and a doctorate in nursing and health care systems from the University of Michigan.